Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is the definition of norm-referenced tests?

1. Tests evaluating a student's performance based on their improvement over time.

2. Tests comparing a student's performance with an average student's performance within a norm group.

3. Tests focusing solely on a student's understanding of the material taught.

4. Tests used to evaluate a student's emotional intelligence.

The correct answer is: Tests comparing a student's performance with an average student's performance within a norm group.

The correct answer emphasizes that norm-referenced tests are designed to compare a student's performance to that of a group of peers, often referred to as a norm group. This comparison allows educators to understand how well a student is performing relative to others, providing a context for interpreting individual scores. In norm-referenced assessments, the results can indicate whether a student is performing below, at, or above the average level of achievement in the specified norm group. The other options focus on different assessment purposes or methodologies. For example, evaluating improvement over time relates to criterion-referenced tests, which measure a student's performance against a fixed set of criteria rather than the performance of others. Focusing solely on a student’s understanding of the material taught aligns more with formative assessments that examine specific learning outcomes. Finally, evaluating emotional intelligence is not covered by norm-referenced tests, which are primarily concerned with academic achievement and skills.